J + K - The Reception

I feel horribly that it has been so long since I last blogged...if only the amount of times that I have thought about it and tried counted for something.  Sometimes I wish that I could just download my thoughts and make it all happen without me actually taking action.  Sometimes I wish that the days were about 10 hours longer and that I didn't require something as silly as sleep.  Regardless, I have so many blog posts to posts that this lil' website of mine will be hoppin' through the end of the year.  

The good part about my lack of blogging?  I get to relive sweet memories made earlier in the year like the fun reception of J + K.  Again, love the outdoors, love the sentiment, love the love.  

The speeches and toasts were awesome, I learned so much about the newleyweds.  I laughed, I cried.  I *might* have been a little caught up in the moments that I forgot about my 15 pound camera in my hand that I should have been using.  :)

My lovely second shooter was able to utilize the balcony of the barn to get some great aerial shots of the reception.  It is so nice to be able to quasi-clone myself on wedding days with her assistance...I couldn't do it without her!

Oh heavens...sweetness overload! 

I really enjoy seeing how brides personalize their on style into their wedding day style and when Miss K made her grand entrance without her veil but with her bow...I smiled.  Really big.  Love it!

A have a shot similar to this from my wedding day at our family property framed in a big canvas in our bedroom.  I love looking at it and seeing how different the land already looks after 5 years.  I imagine that these images will have the same impact in the future...

J + K - It was lovely meeting the two of you.  I should have know that we would be fast friends when we decided to meet at the Redwood Cafe...little did I know that we have so much in common.  Thank you for being so fun throughout the planning process and for trusting my ability to capture your wedding.  I look forward to seeing you on the road during our evening dog walks :)  xoxo

J + K - The Details

Thankfully our schedule and timeline for the day afforded me plenty of opportunities to photography the charming details of J + K's wedding day before, as I say, 'the guests move in.'  The quiet moments before guests arrive are the best moments to capture the small aspects of the wedding day.  There is so much planning that goes into details - from signage, to favors, the flowers, to table settings.  And I love capturing it all.

J + K - The Wedding

When you mix a small initate wedding surrounded at the grooms family property with quaint personal touches  and add in an adorable couple you get a wedding day as lovely as J + K.  It was a fun, relaxed and, in a word, perfect day.  It depicted their relationship of support, of laughter and of hope.  Hope for everlasting happiness, a happiness that I have no doubt these two will achieve.

Their ceremony site was very reiminscent of my own wedding ceremony.  Located at the family property with the focus on the two of them surrounded by nature.  We even had the same chairs and umbrellas :) Although this wedding day was about 30 degrees cooler than my own (I was married five years ago in the record breaking heat span in July when it reached 110 on our wedding day!)  

A family friend officiated the ceremony, just like my own ceremony too :)

I will never forget the moment when the old Ford's horn honked as the bride was being driven down to the ceremony site.  The excitement was palpable in everyone, I can only image what the groom was feeling!

Moments like this is when I give my second shooter a big ol' hug - since it is impossible for me to be in two places at the same time!

 Seriously, how adorable is this flower girl smiling to her mom in the front row?  She has such a proud look on her pretty lil' face and she did a great job!

Awww...looking at his bride for the first time :)

What a beautiful wedding ceremony for J +K - more detail and reception photos later this week, there is lots of love to share!  xoxo

The {S} Wedding - Petaluma Wedding Photographer

 I had the best of intentions to post the final installment of the {S} wedding during the last week, but I decided to take a break from business blogging while on a much needed vacation in Mexico.  My husband and I enjoyed days filled with sunshine and pool side service, and now we are back in Sonoma County with days filled with rain and kitchen cleanup after home cooked meals.  

Now, almost one month from the date that they were married, here are a few more images to enjoy from the {S} wedding.

Another personal touch?  A family friend musician playing during the ceremony, these touches make wedding days even more memorable. 

The groom was all smiles, all the time.  And it was contagious.  Love it. 

I don't usually post many formal portraits, but this one of the bride and her dad was just too adorable too pass up.   And, the bride's father also wore the black and white converse shoes - what a trooper! 

More detail images of the evening... 

The bride and groom spent many hours securing the details of their wedding, from the homemade lanterns on the dance floor to the individual potted succulents for their guests.  The groom fondly recalled the 'shady lady' that they purchased the plants from - I love how involved he was with planning.

The whole cupcake trend in lieu of a wedding cake is definitely a trend that I can get on board with! 

I will end with one of my favorite images of the couple... 

The {S}'s - Thank you very much for inviting me to share in your wedding day.  You made me feel like a long time friend throughout the day and I appreciate that beyond words.  May the rest of your long marriage be just like your wedding day, full of laughter and personal touches that make your each better together.

The {S} Wedding - Petaluma Wedding Photographer

I woke up this morning to rain....lots of rain, that I hope goes away for the sake of a family session that I have scheduled.  

With an October wedding, you just never know about the weather and the weather was just perfect on the day of the {S} wedding and going through these images again to blog makes me happy.  Enjoy a few detail, portrait and reception shots....the final {S} wedding blog post will be published later this week with more commentary about the fun loving couple and their wedding day.  

As always, the toasts were fun and unique for the couple, and we all laughed, alot.

The ceremony site made for some beautiful portraits of the newly married couple...

* Something new to the blog...if the {S} wedding posts receive 15 comments the newlyweds will receive a complimentary 8 x 10 professional print, so, please take the time to post a few words for the bride and groom. *